USL Announces Soft Stick Lacrosse Equipment Grant Recipients

BALTIMORE, Sept. 19, 2013 - US Lacrosse today announced that 136 schools and civic organizations across 38 states have been selected as 2013 Physical Education and Soft Stick Lacrosse Equipment Grant recipients. Each organization will receive modified "soft" lacrosse sticks and balls, as well as instructional guides and DVDs to help support the introduction of the sport in their curriculums.

In addition, US Lacrosse has awarded eight workshop grants to school districts and community-based organizations in which US Lacrosse trainers provide in-service training. Each of these workshops could have up to 30 schools and organizations in attendance, each of which also receives a full set of soft stick equipment. Workshops were awarded to school districts and organizations in Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Arkansas, Nebraska, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma.

"Soft stick lacrosse is a wonderful way to introduce the sport of lacrosse to new youth players, and we're pleased to be able to provide equipment and resources to schools and local organizations nationwide to help expose the game to new participants," said Meghan Mulford, programs manager at US Lacrosse. "The continued support of our equipment contributor for this program, STX, enables us to keep extending the program to more and more communities each year."

The objective of the P.E. and Soft Stick Equipment Grant Program is to initiate, expand, or enhance participation in the sport by enabling teachers and recreational program leaders to introduce lacrosse in the classroom and other similar venues. Each equipment grant includes 30 soft lacrosse sticks, 30 soft lacrosse balls, one copy of the US Lacrosse P.E. Curriculum Guide and Reproducible packet and a copy of an instructional DVD produced by US Lacrosse.

Applicants also have the option to request in-service style training from US Lacrosse for educators and other lacrosse stakeholders who want to learn how to introduce and safely teach the sport of lacrosse to their students. All workshop participants are awarded a full set of equipment for their school or organization.

2013 equipment grants and workshops are expected to impact to 400 schools and community organizations nationwide.